Apparatus for single-handed transport of pots and pans

ABSTRACT

A single-handed porter for carrying pots, pans and the like. The porter generally comprises a length of fabric forming a flexible panel that creates a central pocket to hold a heat resistant plate for supporting a load such as a pot or pan. A pair of dowels inserted lengthwise into looped sleeves of the flexible panel form the handles for carrying. Cookware is seated atop the plate and the dimensions of the dowels and the fabric create the proper balance for carrying the cookware with minimum risk of spillage. The device provides excellent lateral support, stability and heat insulation when carrying full pots and pans with one hand, and can be cut and sewn from a simple fabric pattern design, thereby allowing easy and economical manufacturing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application derives priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/234,648 for “APPARATUS FOR SINGLE-HANDED TRANSPORT OFPOTS AND PANS”; filed Sep. 22, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to kitchen accessories and, moreparticularly, to an economical cookware porter for single-handed supportof hot or cold pots or pans.

[0004] 2. Description of the Background

[0005] One of the most accident-prone situations in the kitchen ariseswhen one needs to move cookware containing food from one place toanother. This is especially true in commercial catering situations wherelarger pots and pans are used. For example, when prepared food isfinished it must often be transported to an affair. This typicallyrequires two hot pads and two hands (one for each handle). The pot mustbe put down in order to navigate common obstacles such as, for instance,opening a car door. In these and many other situations, it is desirableto provide a one-hand support for pots and pans that eliminates the needfor hot pads. There are many other known object carriers, many of whichare simply not economically feasible, and none of which are suitable fortransporting large hot kitchen pots and pans.

[0006] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5169199 discloses an object carrierwith a wrap-around strap member and a hook-and-fabric-type fastener. Aring is attached to one end of the strap member and the hook element ofthe hook-and-fabric-type fastener is attached to the other end. There isa handle on the external surface near the ring. The strap member iswrapped tightly about an object to be carried, with the handleaccessible for one hand carrying.

[0007] Unfortunately, the above-described carrier fails to provide thelateral support and stability needed to carry full pots and pans. Itwould be greatly advantageous to provide a one-hand carry sling-typeporter with integral heat insulation that can be cut and sewn from asimple fabric pattern design, which is especially stable to carry evenwhile supporting a heavy and unstable load such as a 12″×20″ aluminumpan of food.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide asling-type porter for kitchen cookware that assures the lateral supportand stability needed to carry fall pots and pans.

[0009] It is another object to provide a one-hand carry porter asdescribed above with integral heat insulation that eliminates the needfor hot pads and hot plates.

[0010] It is still another object to provide a one-hand porter asdescribed above that can be cut and sewn from a simple fabric patterndesign, and which lends itself to easy and economical manufacturing.

[0011] According to the present invention, the above-described and otherobjects are accomplished by providing a single-handed porter forcarrying standard-sized and over-sized cookware. The porter generallycomprises a rectangular or circular fabric panel formed with arectangular or circular central pocket. The fabric extends outward oneach side of the pocket by approximately the width of the pocket, andterminates at looped sleeves at the opposing ends. A heat resistantrectangular or circular plate is inserted in the pocket of the panel forsupporting a load such as a pot or pan. The pocket may be open tofacilitate removal of the plate (to facilitate cleaning and/or for useas a standalone hot plate), or alternatively, the plate may be sewnpermanently into the pocket. When carried, cookware seated in theporters atop the plate is suspended by handles each comprising a lengthof dowel inserted lengthwise into the looped sleeves of the flexiblepanel. The device provides excellent lateral support, stability and heatinsulation when carrying full cookware with one hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present inventionwill become more apparent from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when takentogether with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a front perspective photo of the single-handed cookwareporter 2 according to one embodiment of the present inventionspecifically adapted for carrying square or rectangular cookwarecommonly referred to as pans.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a front exploded sketch of the single-handed cookwareporter 2 as in FIG. 1.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a side view of the single-handed cookware porter 2 as inFIGS. 1-2.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a pattern view illustrating the panel sections anddimensions needed to form the single-handed cookware porter 2 as inFIGS. 1-3.

[0017]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the single-handed cookware porteraccording to a second embodiment of the present invention specificallyadapted for carrying round or elliptical cookware commonly referred toas pots.

[0018]FIG. 6 is a front view of the single-handed cookware porter as inFIG. 5.

[0019]FIG. 7 is a view of the base of the single-handed cookware porteras in FIG. 5.

[0020]FIG. 8 is a pattern view illustrating the panel sections anddimensions needed to form the single-handed cookware porter 3 as inFIGS. 5-7.

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022]FIG. 1 is a front perspective photo of the single-handed cookwareporter 2 according to one embodiment of the present inventionspecifically adapted for carrying square or rectangular cookwarecommonly referred to as pans. Cookware porter 2 generally comprises arectangular fabric panel 6 formed with a rectangular central pocket 24.A rectangular heat resistant plate 12 (obscured in FIG. 1) is insertedinto the pocket 24 of the porter 2 for supporting a load such as a pan.The fabric panel 6 extends outward from the pocket 24 to a pair oflooped sleeves 30 at either end, and a pair of handles 42, 44 reinforcethe respective sleeves 30. The fabric panel 6 is formed with tworecessions 32 (as will be described) centrally and directly beneath thehandles 42, 44 to provide a clearance for grasping the handles togetherwith one hand. In using the porter 2 in the manner shown in FIG. 1, apan, other kitchen item, or combination thereof may be placed on theplate-reinforced area of fabric panel 6. The user grasps the handles 42,44 together as shown, thereby suspending the transported items in theporter 2 for single-handed transport. The device provides superiorlateral support, stability and heat insulation.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a front exploded sketch of the one-hand cookware sling 2as in FIG. 1. The pair of handles 42, 44 may be formed from two woodendowels of length corresponding to the width of the fabric panel 6. Thehandles 42, 44 are inserted lengthwise into the pair of looped sleeves30 at either end of fabric panel 6, thereby leaving a central section ofhandles 42, 44 exposed within recesses 32. Preferably, the loopedsleeves 30 are left open so that the handles 42, 44 may be easilyremoved for laundering of the fabric. Likewise, the heat resistant plate12 is inserted into pocket 24 for support, and pocket 24 is left openfor removal of plate 12 for laundering.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a side view of the porter 2 as in FIGS. 1-2. Recesses 32occupy a central one-third of the upper margins of the fabric panel 6and extend downwardly a short distance beneath the sleeves 30. Thisexposes the central section of handles 42, 44 and provides a clearancedirectly beneath to allow gripping of handles 42, 44. This also promptsthe user to grip the handles 42, 44 at a fulcrum calculated with respectto the plate 12 in order to properly balance the expected load.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a pattern view illustrating the panel sections anddimensions needed to form a balanced porter 2 as in FIGS. 1-3. Toconstruct the porter 2, it is best to begin with a large rectangularfabric blank (approximately 46″×22″ is suitable), and canvas or denimare suggested materials. The fabric blank is cut with rectangular6.5″×4″ apertures at opposing ends to form the recesses. The end marginsof the blank are then folded over upon themselves, bisecting theapertures to leave 1.25″ sleeves 30 and 6.5″ by 2″ central recesses 32.A smaller 9″ by 21″ fabric panel is then sewn around three sidesdirectly to the inner face of the larger fabric blank to form the openpocket 24. Reinforcement seams may be incorporated as desired. A 20″ by9″ heat resistant plate 12 is then inserted into the open pocket 24, andplate 12 may be standard ¼″ plywood which has excellent heat resistantproperties (although heat resistant plastic is also acceptable). Two 24″lengths of ¾″ wooden dowels may be used as the handles 42, 44, and theseare inserted into the sleeves 30 to yield the finished product. Thesides of the porter 2 may be embroidered or otherwise adorned with acaterer's promotional logo. The foregoing dimensions will result in aporter 2 that is 41″ long, 22″ wide, and fully capable of supporting andbalancing four standard 8½″ by 12″ aluminum pans stacked 2 by 2, or twostandard 24″ by 12″ pans, such pans being of common size gradations aswill be appreciated to one skilled in the art.

[0026] It should be obvious that the dimensions may be altered so longas scale is maintained. In addition, the relative lengths of thecomponents may be altered without sacrificing balance. For instance,shortening to a 41″ by 14″ porter is easily accomplished with a 9″×12″plate 12, and two 16″ dowels as handles 42, 44. This will providecapacity for three 8½ by 12″ aluminum pans in a stacked configuration.

[0027]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a single-handed cookware porter 3according to a second embodiment of the present invention specificallyadapted for carrying round or elliptical cookware commonly referred toas pots. Cookware porter 3 comprises an elliptical fabric panel 52formed with a circular central pocket 54. A circular heat resistantplate 13 is inserted into the central pocket 54 of porter 3 forsupporting a load such as a pot. The fabric panel 52 extends outwardfrom the pocket 54 to a pair of looped sleeves 56 at either end, and apair of handles 82, 84 reinforce the respective sleeves 56. The fabricpanel 52 is formed with two recessions 72 centrally and directly beneaththe handles 82, 84 to provide a clearance for grasping the handlestogether with one hand.

[0028]FIG. 6 is a front view of the single-handed cookware porter 3 asin FIG. 5. Four fabric flaps 60, rectangular in shape and of the samematerial as the fabric panel 52, are attached at evenly spaced intervalsalong the border of the fabric panel 52 in the intermediate area betweenthe central pocket 54 and the looped sleeves 56 by stitching one end ofeach flap 64 to the fabric panel 52. The end opposite the stitched endof the fabric flaps 60 attaches to the fabric panel 52 by means of ahook and pile mechanism 62 well known in the prior art. In the closedposition, the fabric flaps 60 seal the gaps in the front and rear of theporter created when the user grasps the handles 82, 84, and therebysecurely closes the porter on all sides.

[0029] As seen in FIG. 7, the circular central pocket 54 of cookwareporter 3 contains a slotted opening 92 running the length of thediameter of the central pocket 54 to receive the circular heat resistantplate 13 (obscured in FIG. 7). The circular heat resistant plate islikewise removable for laundering of the fabric.

[0030]FIG. 8 is a pattern view illustrating the panel sections anddimensions needed to form a balance porter 3 as in FIGS. 5-8. Toconstruct the porter 3, it is best to begin with a large ellipticalfabric blank (approximately 55″×12″ is suitable), and canvas or denimare suggested materials. The fabric blank is cut with rectangularapertures at opposing ends to form the recesses. The end margins of theblank are then folded over upon themselves, bisecting the apertures toleave 1.25″ sleeves 56 and 4″ by 2″ central recesses 72. A smaller 12″by 12″ fabric panel with a slotted opening running the length of thediameter of the fabric is then sewn directly to the outer face of thelarger fabric blank to form the open pocket 54. An 11″ by 11″ heatresistant plate 13 is then inserted into the open pocket 54. Two 12″lengths of ½″ wooden dowels may be used as the handles 82, 84 and theseare inserted into the sleeves 56 to yield the finished product. Theforegoing dimensions will result in a porter that is 12″ in diameter atthe base by 16″ high, and fully capable of supporting and balancing upto four 9″ round pans or one 11″ round cooking pot.

[0031] The porters 2 and 3 as described above give superior lateralsupport, stability and heat insulation, and can be carried single-handedwith minimum effort or risk of spillage. Moreover, porters 2 and 3 areformed from a simple fabric pattern design, thereby allowing easy andeconomical manufacturing.

[0032] Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certainmodifications of the concept underlying the present invention, variousother embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of theembodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to thoseskilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept.It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practicedotherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims:

I claim:
 1. A single-handed porter for carrying pots, pans and the like,comprising: a flexible panel formed from a length of rectangular fabric,said fabric having a central pocket and opposing sides extending outwardtherefrom to looped sleeves at opposing ends; a rectangular heatresistant plate inserted in the pocket of said panel for supporting aload; and a pair of handles each comprising a length of dowel insertedlengthwise into the looped sleeves of the flexible panel; whereby saidpanel provides lateral support, stability and heat insulation forcarrying full pots and pans with one hand and without need of hot pads.2. The single-handed porter of claim 1, wherein said rectangular fabricis denim.
 3. The single-handed porter of claim 1, wherein saidrectangular fabric is canvas.
 4. The single-handed porter of claim 1,wherein said flexible panel is formed with two recesses centrally anddirectly beneath the handles to provide a clearance for grasping saidhandles.
 5. The single-handed porter according to claim 1, wherein thelooped sleeves are left open so that the handles may be easily removedfor laundering of the fabric.
 6. The single-handed porter of claim 1,wherein a smaller fabric panel is sewn around three sides to the innerface of said flexible panel to form the open pocket.
 7. Thesingle-handed porter of claim 1, wherein said rectangular heat resistantplate is comprised of standard ¼″ plywood.
 8. The single-handed porteraccording to claim 1, wherein said heat resistant plate is comprised ofheat resistant plastic.
 9. The single-handed porter according to claim1, wherein said rectangular flexible panel is embroidered or otherwiseadorned for advertising or aesthetic purposes.
 10. A single-handedporter for carrying pots, pans and the like, comprising: a flexiblepanel formed from a length of elliptical fabric, said fabric having acentral pocket and opposing sides extending outward therefrom to loopedsleeves at opposing ends; a circular heat resistant plate inserted inthe pocket of said panel for supporting a load; and a pair of handleseach comprising a length of dowel inserted lengthwise into the loopedsleeves of the flexible panel; whereby said panel provides lateralsupport, stability and heat insulation for carrying full pots and panswith one hand and without need of hot pads.
 11. The single-handed porterof claim 10, wherein said elliptical fabric is denim.
 12. Thesingle-handed porter of claim 10, wherein said elliptical fabric iscanvas.
 13. The single-handed porter of claim 10, wherein said flexiblepanel is formed with two recesses centrally and directly beneath thehandles to provide a clearance for grasping said handles.
 14. Thesingle-handed porter according to claim 10, wherein the looped sleevesare left open so that the handles may be easily removed for launderingof the fabric.
 15. The single-handed porter of claim 10, wherein aplurality of closure flaps are attached to said opposing sides of saidflexible panel for securing said opposing sides in a closed position.16. The closure flaps of claim 15, wherein each flap is stitched to amargin of said opposing sides and carries a hook-type fastener means onan opposite side along each of the margins running perpendicularly tosaid handles, said flaps being stitched to said panel on one end andbearing a hook type fastener on an opposite end, and a pile typefastener affixed to the second of said opposing sides of said flexiblepanel such that said hook fastener is aligned to mate with said pilefastener thereby closing the gap between the two opposing sides andsecuring the pots and pans inside the porter.
 17. The single-handedporter of claim 10, wherein said circular rectangular heat resistantplate is comprised of standard ¼″ plywood.
 18. The single-handed porteraccording to claim 10, wherein said circular heat resistant plate iscomprised of heat resistant plastic.
 19. The single-handed porteraccording to claim 10, wherein said elliptical flexible panel isembroidered or otherwise adorned for advertising or aesthetic purposes.20. The single-handed porter according to claim 10, wherein a smallercircular fabric panel with a slotted opening running the diameter of thefabric is sewn to the outer face of said flexible panel to form the openpocket.